Mikro Horio, Tilos: Hiking, Exploration, and a Silent Story

Tucked into a quiet hillside above Livadia, the main village of Tilos, lies Mikro Horio—a deserted settlement that stands as one of the island's most atmospheric and intriguing sites. With no entrance signs or gates, it emerges unexpectedly from the landscape, like a scene from a film or a forgotten story left half-told. For many, it is the most captivating place on the island.

A Brief Historical Glimpse

Mikro Horio was inhabited mainly during the medieval and Ottoman periods. Its hillside location offered protection from pirates and invaders, making it a strategic and secure place to live. Over time, however, the residents gradually abandoned the village in favor of easier access to the sea and modern living conditions, moving mostly to Livadia during the 20th century.

Today, dozens of stone houses, crumbling walls, narrow paths, and the church of Agios Zacharias remain, bearing the marks of time yet exuding a strange sense of timelessness.

The Trail: Hiking as an Experience

Mikro Horio can be reached either:

• By a short 30–40 minute hike from Livadia via a dirt road or trail
• By car, up to a certain point, followed by a brief walk

As you ascend, the view opens up to the Aegean and the harbor, while the stillness of the landscape creates a contemplative, almost mystical atmosphere. It's the ideal hike for anyone seeking solitude, photography, and a deeper, more reflective kind of travel.

Today: A Silent Village That "Wakes Up" Once a Year

Despite being abandoned, Mikro Horio isn't forgotten. Every August 15, it comes back to life for a single night through a now-legendary summer festival. Locals, travelers, and young people gather among the ruins for an open-air bar and a party that lasts until dawn.

The experience is unconventional and unforgettable: a modern celebration taking place inside the ghost of the past. It becomes a symbolic meeting between what was and what still is.

Why Visit?

• For authenticity: nothing here is staged or curated—it's just you and the landscape
• For photography: every stone wall and broken window has character
• For inner reflection: few places evoke such profound silence and presence
• To connect with a chapter of Aegean history that rarely makes it into guidebooks

Helpful Tips

• Wear sturdy hiking shoes—the terrain is uneven
• Bring water and a flashlight if you plan to stay until sunset
• On August 15, arrive early if you want to enjoy the festival—crowds grow quickly
• Respect the site: it is a historical monument, not a theme park

Conclusion

Mikro Horio is not just an abandoned village. It is a living imprint of time—a quiet meeting place between past and present. Visiting it isn't just a walk or a detour; it's an experience, a reflection, perhaps even a kind of personal renewal.

If you're searching for something different in the Aegean, Mikro Horio is waiting—silent, haunting, and more alive than ever.